Neelabh

First-year student wins UNM-PNM Statewide High School Mathematics Contest

A UWC-USA student from India took first overall and first among high school juniors during the UNM-PNM Statewide High School Mathematics Contest.

“Although I was confident that I’d done well, I wasn’t expecting to place first overall,” Neelabh Kashyap ’21, said. “It came as a surprise to me and I’m happy with the result.”

The contest involves 700 to 1,200 students annually, according to a news release from organizers.

Other UWC-USA students who placed were Lkhanaajav Mijidddor ’20, Mongolia, fifth overall and third among seniors, while Peizhe He ’20, China, took fifth among high school seniors.

“I was very happy to know the result and was actually not too surprised by the result,” UWC-USA math teacher Subarna Sampat said about Neelabh taking top honors. 

Subarna noted that Neelabh is a knowledgeable student of mathematics with a very robust background and foundation.

“He has excellent skills in the subject and enjoys independent problem-solving,” she said. 

The goal of the contest is to promote mathematics education in New Mexico by rewarding students, teachers and their schools for mathematics excellence. The contest is open to students in seventh through 12th grades as well as students in lower grades.

The contest has two rounds of exams designed to test mathematical potential and ingenuity as well as formal knowledge. Round I is administered at the student’s home school. The top finalists are invited to the UNM Campus in early February to compete in Round II. 

The New Mexico Mathematics Contest was initiated in 1966. 

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